News

Coronavirus workplace casualties offered leg-up picking fruit

Business solutions & labour General April 1, 2020



Workers who have found themselves unexpectedly unemployed amid the coronavirus crisis in North Queensland are quickly filling the void when it comes to the backpacker shortage.

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Backpackers stay to assist Tasmanian fruit growers

Business solutions & labour General April 1, 2020



With borders closing and quarantine measures are put in place around the world, some backpackers are choosing to stay in Tasmania to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Growers push on with harvest as food supply chain stands strong

Pome fruit General Post harvest March 28, 2020



Australia’s fresh food supply chain is standing strong as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

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Citrus canker restrictions lifted in Darwin

Citrus Disease & weed control March 27, 2020



Australia may soon be declared free of citrus canker, as the Northern Territory gets closer to eradicating the deadly disease, nearly two years to the date of its initial detection.

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Record harvest of Queen Garnet

Stone Fruit March 25, 2020



Nutrafruit is looking at ways to extend the value of the Queen Garnet plum year-round after a record year

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Australian industry calls for visa relief

General March 24, 2020



Industry bodies from right across Australia’s horticultural sector have called on the Federal government to extend the visas of foreign workers in the midst of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

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Reducing synthetic chemical use

Fertilisers & nutrition General March 23, 2020



An Australian product that allows growers to optimise yield and reduce environmental impact through the use of naturally occurring microbes and fungi, is growing in popularity.

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Coronavirus to limit reliance on backpackers

Citrus March 20, 2020



Travel restrictions due to Coronavirus could lead to labour shortages for agricultural industries that rely on overseas workers during key periods like sowing or fruit-picking.

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$70k research grant for Adelaide Hills fruit growers

General March 18, 2020



A groundbreaking research project into the recovery of fruit trees following bushfires has been launched in the Adelaide Hills.

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Coronavirus pandemic driving strong demand for local produce

General March 16, 2020



As the Coronavirus crisis plays out across the globe, Australian consumers appear to be rushing to boost their immunity with locally grown produce.

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Industry pilot to trace Victorian citrus exports

Citrus March 13, 2020



New collaborative programme led by Citrus Australia utilises blockchain technology to improve traceability of citrus exports.

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New merger in macadamia industry

Macadamias March 12, 2020



Leading Australian macadamia processor Macadamias Direct is taking another step in its growth push, merging with global business The Finasucre Group.

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State and Federal Governments meet with APAL, growers as bushfire rebuild begins

General March 12, 2020



The rebuild of several of Australia’s iconic apple growing regions is urgently required and the industry continues to extensively engage with both Federal and State Governments to assist in this process.

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Understanding microbial risks vital

General March 11, 2020



Australian tree fruit growers and packers invest significant time and money in ensuring food safety through the application of good agricultural and good hygienic practices and compliance with the safety standards of quality assurance schemes such as Freshcare.

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New annualised salary requirements take effect

Business solutions & labour March 9, 2020



As part of the four yearly review of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down a decision which will impact employers paying annualised salaries to employees covered by a modern award with an annualised salary clause.

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